Work in progress

It took several flag meetings on the ground and much diplomatic energy on both sides but the abatement of tension near the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh came not a day too soon. The Chinese troops who had set up tented positions around Daulat Beg Oldi inside Indian territory some three weeks ago have withdrawn; Indian troops who pitched their tents in response to this provocation have also withdrawn. The Chinese withdrawal may be a victory for diplomacy but it is important to remember that the Depsang Plain, located in a far corner of Ladakh, has only reverted to being what it was — part of the unsettled portion of the LAC between India and China. What that means is that India and China need to make a push for resolving the boundary question quickly. As a first step, completing the process of exchanging maps depicting each side’s understanding of where the LAC lies is crucial. Unless this happens, such disputes are likely to arise again, and strain the entire gamut of ties. Thanks to the stand-off, Indian public opinion has become suspicious of Chinese intentions to the point of making irrelevant the important progress achieved in the bilateral relationship over the past decade. The proposed visit by Chinese premier Li Keqiang later this month — and the preparatory visit by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid to Beijing this week — will be important for restoring a measure of confidence in the relationship.

It is still unclear what caused the People’s Liberation Army to move troops into the Depsang Plain. There is speculation that it might have done so to convey its displeasure at the recent infrastructure development undertaken by India in Ladakh. Given that a diplomatic mechanism already exists to regulate and draw down mutual deployments along the LAC, it would be unwise for any stakeholder on the Chinese side to try and unilaterally force an outcome through provocative actions. Indeed, Beijing must realise that its attempts to resolve long-standing disputes with countries across Asia through coercive tactics will only rebound on itself. As in Japan and South East Asia, in India too such methods are bound to strengthen those who advocate joining hands with the United States in its efforts to counter Beijing’s influence in this region. Of course, the Indian champions of this strategy must realise that notwithstanding the American “pivot to Asia,” the Ladakh stand-off did not so much as elicit a murmur from the U.S. or its allies. This episode has been confirmation, if any was required, that India’s foreign policy, while answering to what is best for the country, must be able to stand on its own feet.

Indian diplomacy is like the love making of an elephant: it is conducted at a very high level and the results are not known for several years. well!! this is a smart move on the part of Indian diplomats in restoring peace in the much controversial region of Ladakh. In case of an impasse like this, it becomes imperative to start with a dialogue process. Given our priorities and strong urge for economic development, and moreover being a democratic institution we cannot reciprocate to chinese provocations ruthlessly. We need to understand that there's always a tradeoff between your long term goals and short term requirements. We cannot regress our foreign strategies to the likes of chinese intentions. Although, by pitching in tents in response and starting of with the dialogue process, India has responded politically adequate.

from:
Mayank

Posted on: May 8, 2013 at 00:02 IST

yes ,this article was written sensibly,as india was surprised and shocked by the chinese incursion in ladakh in the mean while of ongoing bilateral discussions on border dispute.i looked this incident as a response to the indian initiatives to build up robust cooperation among countries around china ,such as japan,philippians,vietnam and thailand,which have various disputes with indias counter part china.our foreign policy should be more active and it should be internationally and asian based strategy which would need number of engagements with neighbours rather than others far away from us.we need to get in pirate issues near in african continent,syrian issue and so on.it is so important ,as we are one of the populated n fast growing economy to be recognised by its involvement in issues internationally.our political leaders only focus to make money by corruption.i hope god will give them some satisfaction with what they have now n rest of time dedicate for nation.

from:
krishnan nayar

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 22:38 IST

If we need to reach an amicable solution towards the Indo-China border issues,we must be proactive enough to usher the positive steps during the calm stage itself. India's foreign policy seems reactive in the sense it begin to work only during the tension stage. As far as long term strategy is concerned we must first recognize the gravity of the problem. The historical evidences shows that how much we have lost. Secondly, the three areas-ladakh,middle and eastern areas must be solved by using the priority method, wherein the least turbulent area must be selected first. Even within the least turbulent region say for example the middle one the area can be broken into smaller one to arrive at the mutually agreeable point. Furtheron, permanent method of recognition should take place wherein the administrative bodies of the two sides could help it out in converting the LAC to International border.As far as International players are concerned we must try to be extra cautious in trusting them

from:
dev G

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 12:42 IST

The Chinese are doing a fine job of uniting their neighbourhood. At this rate, only Pakistan and North Korea will be their friends.

from:
ashok

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 12:03 IST

The Indian government claimed this tussle as a diplomatic victory, question has to be at what expense did we get the victory. Intrusion by Chinese in Indian territory is a sign of China's warning of India's construction in Ladakh which might have adverse impact on China. The victory as claimed by governments is just procrastination of the border dispute. Such tussles may be quite often in the future. To solve the dispute, both sides should make efforts to demarcate the disputed boundaries which needs enthusiasm and determination from both the sides else much will be at stake in the future.

from:
ranjithp

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 11:45 IST

The editorial has been on the expected lines. The Depsang Valley in Ladakh belongs to India and it is painful to read The Hindu claiming it to be disputed, toeing the Chinese line. It is frustrating to see that repeated incursions, warnings, military infrastructure development along the entire length of LAC by the Chinese, direct and indirect encirclement of India, nuke and missile transfers to Pakistan are all whitewashed and India is urged to diplomatically resolve the border issue with an intransigent and bellicose China. Is this not what Chamberlain and Lord Hallifax attempted with Hitler and von Ribbentrop with disastrous consequences for mankind ? One really fails to understand how 'might' easily becomes 'right' and all sorts of gratuitous advices are offered to the aggrieved victim. No doubt that the US is an unreliable ally and should be approached with caution but do not forget that China is seeking an alliance with Russia too. Please offer advice to China too.

from:
Subramanyam Sridharan

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 09:47 IST

The Chinese intrusion should be seen as a caveat that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ignored and called them ‘friendly brotherhood’ which led to 1962 humiliation. India is an economic powerhouse, fully capable to project herself as a global power. It’s time for her to stop banking on western powers to safeguard its regional interests. It’s time to unleash the ‘wave of change’ proposed by Defense Minister A K Antony to develop indigenous defense capabilities to confront belligerent neighbors. In the long run, it would be beneficial for both India and China if it prevents American foothold in Indian subcontinent. A full-fledged military confrontation with China would be fatal for India; not to mention its implications on the world economy and a possible nuclear escalation. And with respect to borders, neither India nor China seems to be ready to cede ¬¬its claims as it would create a dent on their National pride and sovereignty. So let’s stick to status-quo and not muddle up.

from:
Akhil A Zeeb

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 08:42 IST

For the present the worries on Ladakh would have subdided but it remains all the same. We cannot continue to be silent spectators when China is reportedly determined to push its frontiers and intrude into Indian domains.” For quite sometime now, media reports have revealed the intentions of China to aggressively exploit pursue its upper riparian rights. Its indiscriminate and over-damming of the Mekong has already caused havoc to south eastern countries. If it does the same thing on Brahamaputra, eastern India will be ruined. Already experts have foretold that the next war will be one that will be fought on ‘water’ related issues. The full implicationsd of the recent tuswsle with China hasve not bee disclosed by the govt. yet., China is spending thrice that of India on defence forces, what India is doing to meet this. We have to redouble our efforts to clear the backlog in infra projects in border areas. China entering the picture in Aden and the Arabian Sea has even more dangers for us. And we have to take the Pakistan feature also into account. In this context, the move of the Prime Minister to extend for a few more days his forthcoming visit to Japan is welcome.

from:
s subramanyan

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 08:25 IST

Well said. US or the European Union did not so much as bat an eyelid on an issue which could have flared into an international one causing immense damage to the economy of the world. Their position is 'let us side with the victor'.

We need to have an independent foreign policy divorced away from any of the power blocs.

from:
mani sandilya

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 07:45 IST

Instead of basking in the glory of PSEUDO PATRIOTISM we should not allow ego to cross the limits of real life scenario.Instead of getting guided by western nations in framing our policy we should look towards our neighbours and maintain negotiations to resolve issues!

from:
atis

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 06:47 IST

who knows, the motive of the china soldiers recent incursion,as till better than the china themselves. but one thing is certain that the scale of border incursion like nineteen kilometer in Indian territory might have not happened if both the countries have clear stand on the border line of the two countries. both need's to resolve it's boundary reach as soon as possible at it's high level meeting's.To avoid future incursion.as it is not new to the table that sometimes china show's Indian territory in it's map and sometime's china argue that India is showing their territory in it's map.

from:
krishan kumar

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 06:22 IST

How apologetic this editorial is ! ".. such methods are bound to strengthen those who advocate joining hands with the United States in its efforts to counter Beijing’s influence in this region" - This is blatant pro-China policy that the Hindu has been advocating. You have referred to the quadrilateral alliance between India, Japan, US and Australia. Such an alliance would only bring pressure on Beijing to ton down its rhetoric and bullying attitude viz its neighbours.
Let us face the facts. China is a bully. No amount pf whitewashing is going to hide this. Its brazen threats in the South China Sea is a case in point. Now we have this Ladakh misadventure.

from:
Amaruvi Devanathan

Posted on: May 7, 2013 at 04:37 IST

The editorial takes great satisfaction because "... did not so much as elicit a murmur from the U.S. or its allies". The U.S is not expected to take sides this time .. in 1962, it supported India while our "time-
tested friend" USSR stabbed us in the back --- and it could not elicit even a thanks from us. For few years now, Russia is giving more advanced weaponry/aircraft to China than it gives to us. Home-baked foreign policy is definitely the need but it should NOT be synonymous with weak-
kneed prostration before the Chinese.